nisiprius wrote:Nathaniel Hawthorne was impressed by it. In "A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys," in one of the interludes the narrator is telling the kids about the literary Berkshires and mentions "On the hither side of Pittsfield sits Herman Melville, shaping out the gigantic conception of his 'White Whale,' while the gigantic shape of Graylock looms upon him from his study-window." But it didn't actually become recognized as an important book until the 1930s or thereabouts. A version illustrated by Rockwell Kent was published by the Book-of-the-Month Club was a best-seller, but the illustrations contributed to it--so much so that people sometimes erroneously referred to "Moby-Dick, by Rockwell Kent."

Not really a book, but have been reading interviews with Colin Wilson, a fiction and fringe literature writer whose lifelong interest has been the attainment of peak experiences. I would like to learn more about his philosophy, but since he writes mainly fiction, I don't know which of his many books to look into as a guide to his discoveries. Can anyone make a recommendation?

The Rising Tide, by Jeff Shaara, first book I've read by him. It is a "novel" about World War II, in quotes because I have the impression that on a factuality scale of 1 to 10, where Guy Gavriel Kay is 1, Herman Wouk's "The Winds of War" or James Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific" is 5, and Barbara Tuchman's Stilwell and the American Experience in China is 10, this would be about an 8 or a 9. As nearly as I can tell the only thing novel-like about it is that he invents plausible dialog that Eisenhower might have said or gives us interior thoughts that Rommel might have thought.

I'm taking a crack at Telzey Amberdon by James H. Schmitz, on the recommendation of a friend, but can't predict yet whether I'll be able to get into it.

Valuethinker wrote:I have never really gotten to the bottom of what Johnson, a bully and a cruel and belittling man, what was genuine concern for the less fortunate and what was pure political opportunism.

The description in the first book of rural electrification and the difference doing laundry by machine rather than hand made to the lives of Hill country women makes me lean towards genuine concern.

market timer wrote:The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, by David Mitchell.

Do you like it? I have been thinking about reading it.

Yes, it's clearly very well researched, so I'm enjoying the details of how trade was conducted at the Dejima port, the only place Japan allowed trade with the western world at the time (turn of the 19th century). De Zoet was asked by his fiancee's father to spend 5 years working abroad to save enough to start a new family, which is similar to the situation I find myself in today.

About 30 years late but I'm reading Clancy's Red Storm Rising right now, first fiction I've read in quite some time.

Before that I had read a couple of excellent WW2 era biographies, In the Garden of Beasts regarding the tenure of the Ambassador Dodd in Germany as the Nazi's came to power, and Unbroken about Louis Zamperini an Olympic runner from the Berlin games who spent years as a Japanese POW.

It's quite revealing about the hedge fund industry. It's kind of a primer of what one should look out for if one wants to invest in hedge funds. Because they are unregulated they are one of the best vehicles for fraud. Not to mention the crappy average investor dollar weighted returns.

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey - I have to say I'm disappointed. It's the first Ramsey book that I have read and it really, really sucks. Just from a structural perspective, it's horrible because it gives you a little bit of personal finance, followed by these testimonials that don't really accomplish much in my view, and it's this constant back and forth the whole way through - A little bit of depth, followed by a sales pitch. Also, every number in there seemed exaggerated. While the seven baby steps may be sound, and it may be a great book for someone that needs/wants to get out of debt, I just didn't enjoy it and didn't get much if anything out of it. I daresay Suze Orman's books are better.

The Steel Wave, by Jeff Shaara, another in his series of highly factual historical novels.

Telzey Amberdon, by James H. Schmitz, some classic 1960s science fiction I missed during the 1960s.

Periodic Tales: A Cultural History of the Elements, from Arsenic to Zinc, Hugh Aldersey-Williams. Saw it in the library, couldn't resist the title, hope I get around to reading it before I have to return it.

Really? Is the name "Joe Hill" a reference to the "immortal" Wobbly labor activist ("I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me/Says I, 'But Joe, you're ten years dead,; 'I never died,' says he.")

nisiprius wrote:Telzey Amberdon, by James H. Schmitz, some classic 1960s science fiction I missed during the 1960s.

Ah. He was doing strong female protagonists in SF way before it was common. Besides the Telzey stories, there are those featuring her friend secret agent Trigger Argee. There is also the short novel The Demon Breed, featuring Dr. Nile Etland, found in the collection The Hub: Dangerous Territory.

For those interested, these and more of his stories are available in the Baen Free Library (in many popular ebook formats):

The author spent a year in 2008 riding the Amtrak system and meeting with many knowledgeable people to discuss Amtrak's condition and future. It sounds like it would be incredibly dry, but the author's writing skills and keen observations about the people, sights, and experiences he encounters makes for interesting and informative reading.

Recently Finished:
"Power of Habits". Really liked it.
"Coming Apart". Did not like it, too many crazy ideas by the Author.
"Blue Zones". Interesting book about behaviors and lifestyles of centenarian. It is worth to read.

This is a bit prospective as I am still in the hunt for copies of these three works.

La Bella Signora and I were in Wilmington, Delaware last month and had the chance to see the Brandywine museum, which features the works of the Wyeths. I went ready to soak in the Andrew Wyeth paintings, but was surprised and pleased to see the N.C. Wyeth originals (around 10 of them) of the illustrations he did for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Mysterious Island. I was transfixed by the size and quality of these paintings.

So, now I want to go back at read the original Wyeth editions of the three works mentioned above.

Slightly off topic: If you ever get to or close to Wilmington...

"We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are." Anais Nin |
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"Sometimes the first duty of intelligent men is the restatement of the obvious." George Orwell

cinghiale wrote:This is a bit prospective as I am still in the hunt for copies of these three works... was surprised and pleased to see the N.C. Wyeth originals (around 10 of them) of the illustrations he did for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Mysterious Island. I was transfixed by the size and quality of these paintings.

So, now I want to go back at read the original Wyeth editions of the three works mentioned above.

Not sure how original is "original," but it seems to me that there were vast numbers of copies in a publisher's series... what was it called... edited by May Lamberton Becker, and that they included the Wyeth illustrations--not badly reproduced, not wonderfully reproduced. They were so very common--the standard editions you found in school libraries--that I'd think they must be easy and cheap to find in the used-book market. I'm slightly surprised I can't find one right here in the house right now.

Just finished: "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters" by Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. It was an easy read and inspirational book by Sully about his life before and after his infamous plane crash into the Hudson River in 2009. I admire his passion and dedication as a pilot and really enjoyed the book.

Next up: "Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders" by Capt. Sullenberger. I look forward to chapter 2 titled, "John C. Bogle"!

Groundhog wrote:Just finished: "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters" by Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. It was an easy read and inspirational book by Sully about his life before and after his infamous plane crash into the Hudson River in 2009. I admire his passion and dedication as a pilot and really enjoyed the book.

Next up: "Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders" by Capt. Sullenberger. I look forward to chapter 2 titled, "John C. Bogle"!

cinghiale wrote:This is a bit prospective as I am still in the hunt for copies of these three works.

La Bella Signora and I were in Wilmington, Delaware last month and had the chance to see the Brandywine museum, which features the works of the Wyeths. I went ready to soak in the Andrew Wyeth paintings, but was surprised and pleased to see the N.C. Wyeth originals (around 10 of them) of the illustrations he did for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Mysterious Island. I was transfixed by the size and quality of these paintings.

So, now I want to go back at read the original Wyeth editions of the three works mentioned above.

Slightly off topic: If you ever get to or close to Wilmington...

cinghiale,
Glad to hear you two had the chance to visit the museum. I'm thinking that even though you mentioned Wilmington, DE, you were referring to the Brandywine River Museum on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, PA. (I grew up in the area.) Lovely place to view the art of the Wyeth family across generations. In addition, a short hike along the Brandywine River, some of which includes a boardwalk path through the woods, takes one out into the open field to a historical museum and the stone home of John Chadd (early 18th century). A farmer and ferryman, Chadd's name was given to the ford in the river and the town itself.

P.S. One could do much worse than take in a visit during the next Boglehead meeting in Oct., as it's not far away from the meeting site (at least I don't consider it far).

cinghiale wrote:This is a bit prospective as I am still in the hunt for copies of these three works.

La Bella Signora and I were in Wilmington, Delaware last month and had the chance to see the Brandywine museum, which features the works of the Wyeths. I went ready to soak in the Andrew Wyeth paintings, but was surprised and pleased to see the N.C. Wyeth originals (around 10 of them) of the illustrations he did for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Mysterious Island. I was transfixed by the size and quality of these paintings.

So, now I want to go back at read the original Wyeth editions of the three works mentioned above.

Slightly off topic: If you ever get to or close to Wilmington...

cinghiale,
Glad to hear you two had the chance to visit the museum. I'm thinking that even though you mentioned Wilmington, DE, you were referring to the Brandywine River Museum on Route 1 in Chadds Ford, PA. (I grew up in the area.) Lovely place to view the art of the Wyeth family across generations. In addition, a short hike along the Brandywine River, some of which includes a boardwalk path through the woods, takes one out into the open field to a historical museum and the stone home of John Chadd (early 18th century). A farmer and ferryman, Chadd's name was given to the ford in the river and the town itself.

P.S. One could do much worse than take in a visit during the next Boglehead meeting in Oct., as it's not far away from the meeting site (at least I don't consider it far).

Along with the Brandywine River Museum, a visit to Longwood Gardens and Winterthur Museum are worth the visit.

Picked up three today. Wanted to buy Charles Yu's "Sorry Please Thank You" but the in store price was $10 more than the online price.

In the Shadow of the Sword, Tom Holland - about the birth of Islam

Rome, Greg Woolf - not sure about this one, but in an area I like

The Dream of the Celt, Mario Vargas Llosa

Did anyone else mourn the loss of Gore Vidal? Yes as Hitchens complained he could be a crackpot at times, but he wrote beautifully.

I hope that was not an improper discussion of non investing topics, to mourn the passing of a literary and cultural figure. Would hate to offend very delicate sensibilties. How about this: I recommend you read Matters of Fact and of Fiction, a mid 70s collection of Vidal's essays, as well as one of his historical novels. Or Creation, a novel I very much enjoyed many years ago.